The CODE COCO watch closes with a click like the quilted 2.55 bag, created by Mademoiselle Chanel in February 1955, whose clasp adorns the heart of the watch’s dial. Open or closed, it conceals or reveals the time discreetly hidden from plain sight. Time is a special secret to be protected. Its supple bracelet, so light the tiniest movement is unhindered, recalls the beginning of this quilted design.
Launched in 2017, CHANEL presents three new versions of the CODE COCO in 2020. The first focuses on extravagance with an XXL steel strap that wraps around the wrist like a cuff. The second features embossed black leather with a quilted motif. Finally, the third SO BLACK version is entirely black for a rebellious look. The gleam of its blackened steel ADLC clasp contrasts with the stylish matte look of the black ceramic bracelet. A tribute to a story, style and look, the CODE COCO watch carries the ever-renewing codes of CHANEL.
Arnaud CHASTAINGT – CHANEL, Director of the Watchmaking Creation Studio, tells us what is really new on the four limited editions you created for CODE COCO.
Could you tell us about the four limited editions you created for CODE COCO this year?
In 2020, I was going for the extravagance of an oversized look. It has an over-arched line and wraps around the wrist like a cuff. The XXL steel bracelet has not lost any of its suppleness. It has a commanding omnipresence and exudes a different sort of preciousness. It captivates you at first glance and arms the wrist with excess and fascination. I also decided this year to reconnect with CODE COCO’s origins. Taking inspiration from the clasp on the 2.55 bag, I’ve adorned it in black leather. It has the same silhouette, but the steel ribbon becomes a leather ribbon embossed with a motif that is reminiscent of a well-known quilted pattern. True to its source of inspiration, the lining is in signature burgundy leather, a detail that connoisseurs will recognize from the distinctive lining of the iconic 2.55. There clasp is also adorned with leather, steel and diamonds. CODE COCO loves fashion and its free spirit. Without concessions, one iteration is dressed all in black for an extreme look that the boldest women will love. The dress code for this CODE COCO SO BLACK edition will be rock n’ roll. The gleam of its blackened steel clasp contrasts with the stylish matte look of the black ceramic bracelet. Lastly, in a beige gold dress unveils a bracelet with a whirl of randomly scattered white diamonds. The interplay of this coded motif creates contemporary preciousness. Excessive, nostalgic, rock n’ roll or precious – CODE COCO’s devil-may-care attitude is captivating.
You also sense this desire to use CHANEL time’s signature allure in one of your latest creations, CODE COCO. Is it a one-of-a-kind watchmaking creation, too?
At first glance, CODE COCO is nothing like a watch, at least in the conventional sense of the word. I designed this creation as a piece of jewelry, the only difference is that it’s jewelry that tells time. CODE COCO’s trump card is ambiguity and disguise. Its architecture is based on a new interpretation of a mechanism invented by Gabrielle Chanel in 1955: the Mademoiselle clasp on the legendary 2.55 bag. CODE COCO is also a bracelet with quilted geometry, a metal ribbon that wraps around itself and fastens on top of the wrist. The clasp serves more than a closing function. Once it’s adorned with diamonds, it also becomes a jewel. Since it contains a watch, it’s mostly a timepiece. CODE COCO is a jewel, yet deep down it is far from lacking a certain amount of technology. I like categorizing it as a “mechanical jewel.” It’s a paradox in that it combines a precious and supple quilted steel ribbon with the mechanics of a functional clasp turned watch. CODE COCO: a coded allure to decode!
check also: CHANEL CRUISE 2020/21 THE MAKING-OF
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